Flying Zee Stable’s Cosmonaut, who made the pace in last summer’s Grade III Arlington Handicap and drew off by two and a quarter lengths in the stretch run, is presently scheduled to defend his championship in this year’s 72nd running July 21.

The Arlington Handicap, one of three graded stakes to make up Arlington Park’s “Million Preview Day” on the third Saturday in July, is the Chicago oval’s final major local prep for the upcoming silver anniversary edition of the Grade I Arlington Million Aug. 11.

In his last trip to the post in the Grade I Manhattan Handicap on Belmont Stakes Day June 9, Cosmonaut made or forced the pace but weakened in the late stages to finish fourth while beaten less than a length for all of it. Before that, in Baltimore on Preakness Day May 19, the 5-year-old gray finished second by three-quarters in Pimlico’s Grade II Dixie Handicap despite being hindered by a fallen rival.

Following his Arlington Handicap win a year ago, Cosmonaut finished fifth in last summer’s Arlington Million after being forced to check at the start.

David Bienstock and Charles Winner’s Fantastic Spain, winner of the Grade III Golden Gate Fields Stakes in his last start May 28; Peter Vegso’s Go Between, winner of last year’s Grade II Virginia Derby; Gary Tanaka’s Embossed, winner of Lone Star’s Grade III Dallas Turf Cup May 28; as well as Tanaka’s Atlando, winner of Santa Anita’s Grade II San Luis Obispo Handicap a year ago, are among the more prominent nominees expected to run in the Arlington Handicap at this time.

Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel is expected to send either T N T Stud’s Out of Control, winner of Hollywood’s Grade II American Invitational Handicap June 30, or Live Oak Plantation’s Giant Basil, impressive in two outings this spring after almost a year on the sidelines.

S. D. Brilie Ltd. Partnership’s Chic Dancer, heroine of last summer’s Grade III Modesty Handicap, is expected to be the Modesty’s headline attraction once again for the filly and mare fixture’s 50th renewal on July 21.

The Modesty, contested at a mile and three-sixteenths over Arlington’s grass course, is Arlington’s final major local prep for the Grade I Beverly D. on Aug. 11 – long considered as the Million’s sister race.

Others considered likely at this time for the 2007 Modesty ‘Cap are Allen E. Paulson Living Trust’s Jade Queen, fourth in Belmont’s Grade II New York Handicap June 23; Ronald Charles and Clear Valley Stables’ Mabadi, fourth in the Grade II Beverly Hills Handicap July 1; and Glen Hill Farm’s Rich in Spirit, fifth in Churchill’s Grade III Mint Julep Handicap June 16.

Other members of the distaff set expected to participate in the Modesty are Augustin Stable’s Sohgol, fifth in Hollywood’s Grade I Gamely May 28; Elisabeth Alexander’s Bridge Game, third in Colonial’s Grade III All Along Stakes June 16; Pin Oak Stable LLC’s Brownie Points, winner of Prairie Meadows’ $125,000 Iowa Distaff Stakes June 30; and Richard Glantz’s Solo Survivor, a winner in allowance company June 1 at Arlington Park.

Edward Evans’ Pleasant Strike, impressive winner of the Grade III Arlington Classic, presented by Woodford Reserve as the first leg of Arlington’s Mid-America Triple for grass-running sophomores on June 23, is set to attempt the middle leg – the Grade II American Derby, presented by Jack Daniel’s, on July 21.

The American Derby will also serve as the final major local prep for the Grade I Secretariat Stakes, the Triple’s final leg on Arlington Million Day Aug. 11.

Presently slated to arrive from Ireland for the American Derby is Moyglare Stud Farm’s Perfect Casting, trained by Ireland’s all-time leading conditioner Dermot Weld, who has saddled the American Derby winner three times in his career.